The Kidney Stone Saga

Last Fall I passed a small kidney stone.  Ended up in the emergency room, but once I got the morphine, all was well.  Then, when I went to to Urologist, they found a very large kidney stone 15 mm, that woould never pass.  So, I had lithotripsy which is shock waves that are supposed to break up the stone,  The first attempt did not break up my kidney stone.  Had a second attempt before Thanksgiving at a higher strengh.  Again, this did not break up my stone,  I was told surgery was my only option,  So, on March 31, I had surgery a  Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)  The surgeon made a small cut in my back and used a telescopic instrument called a nephroscope to pull the stone out or break it up with shock waves or a laser. But,  all they found were very small stones, so Tuesday, I had a Cat-Scan to see if they got my stone,  They did not and another surgery was scheduled for Wednesday morning.   My IV was in my right hand, but Wednesday morning, my right hand swelled up so badly,I could not bend my fingers, so they moved the IV to my left hand and off I went.  For 4 hours they tried to find my kidney stone, but apparently it's in a part of my kidney that's hard to access.  Thursday, I was told their would be another surgery the folowing Tuesday to again try and find the stone. 

My thoughts:  They had two chances, why would a third chance make any difference,  I had bruised swollen hands, a tube with a bag attached coming out of my back.  And, I could NOT spend one more day in the hospital, in the uncomfortable bed and all the noise.  So, I said no and they released me.  Sleeping in my own bed Thursday night was wonderful.  Friday, I went to the Urologist and he plugged up my tubes, so I lost the unflattering bag.  He will remove the rest of my tubes next week, but I can move around alot easier now.

 I do want to post a special Thank You to my DH who was at my side all week and helped me with never a word complaint.  He is my rock. And my DD who made me get well cards and cried every night she had to leave the hospital.  And, all the kind thoughts and prayers from my friends at e-harlequin and at work and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law who sent me a brown teddy bear and a big balloons.  I am so grateful to have such a loving support team.

The sad part is after all of this, I still have the kidney stone and I have no idea how anyone can remove it. 

Has anyone else had a similar problem?  If so, how did you solve it?

Tammy

Tammy